When I first heard the term “scope creep” as a project manager, I thought it was just a fancy way of saying “clients keep changing their mind.” I didn’t realize how much it could actually wreck a project—until I experienced it firsthand.
In Nepal, scope creep is a silent killer. It doesn’t start with big requests—it starts small, almost invisible, like a tiny crack in the foundation. A client asks, “Can we add just one more feature?” or a teammate says, “This will only take an extra hour.” And suddenly, weeks later, the project timeline is off, the team is stressed, and everyone is frustrated.
Let me share a few stories from my own experience.
1: The “One Extra Page”
I was managing a small website project for a local business. The client loved the design, but then asked: “Can we add one more page? Just a simple page about our services.” It seemed harmless. I agreed. But a week later, they wanted another page, and then a blog section. What started as “one extra page” turned into five extra pages. The developers had to redo layouts, adjust navigation, and manage content they hadn’t planned for. By the end, the project that was supposed to take two weeks stretched into over a month.
Lesson: Even small changes can add up fast. Always evaluate how a new request affects timeline and cost before saying yes.
2: “Just a Tiny Feature”
During a software project, the client asked for a “small” new feature in the app: a notification system. It sounded simple. But integrating notifications meant:
- Rewriting some backend code
- Updating the user interface
- Testing across multiple devices
A feature that was supposed to take a few hours turned into three days of extra work, throwing off the project schedule. The client didn’t understand why this tiny addition caused delays, and the team felt stressed.
Lesson: No feature is truly small if it affects core functionality. Scope creep is sneaky—it often hides under the word “just.”
Why Scope Creep Happens
In Nepal, scope creep often happens because:
- Clients aren’t familiar with technical limitations
- Teams fear saying no
- Project goals are not clearly defined from the start
These factors make small requests easy to agree to, but hard to manage later.
How I Learned to Manage Scope Creep
Over time, I developed a few strategies to keep projects on track:
- Document everything upfront: Every feature, page, and functionality should be clearly agreed upon.
- Communicate the impact: If a change is requested, I explain how it affects time, cost, and resources.
- Set boundaries politely: Saying no isn’t rude—it’s necessary to deliver a quality project.
- Track every change: I keep a log of all changes, approvals, and deadlines to avoid surprises later.
Final Thoughts
Scope creep might start small, but it can snowball into big problems if not managed carefully. In Nepal, with small IT teams and busy clients, it’s easy to underestimate the impact of tiny changes. If you’re a project manager, remember: every “small” request has consequences. Clarify, communicate, and document—that’s the key to keeping your projects on track and your team sane.
Scope creep is a universal challenge, but with experience and clear boundaries, it’s something you can control.
